I met my husband after one semester of college. We were engaged after three semesters and married after my third year. Working full time meant taking fewer courses so I took two additional years to finish my degree, five years in all. I worked in the accounting field from my graduation until the birth of …
Exclamation Mark!
https://videopress.com/v/JJCADgtT?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true “Poppy, I’m coming!” Thomas hollered in what he calls his Poppy yell. When his family spends the night over, it’s what motivates him to transition from bath time to bedtime without a fuss. Once he’s said goodnight to his mom and dad and baby brother, Timothy, he starts across the house to Poppy’s room. …
Casting Cares
I asked Thomas to help me get the mail from the mailbox. Our box is exactly his height at present because of an incident the week we moved into our home. The postal carrier back over our box, taking the entire post down. My dad and my husband repaired it but as a result, the …
The Book For Me
My husband has two devotion books on his bedside table. Thomas and Amelia like to read Poppy’s books, calling them their Bibles. They enjoy moving the ribbon page markers so if Poppy has ever thought, “I believe I’ve read this one already,” he’s probably right. I had the opportunity to teach Thomas the difference between …
Proving Ground
Timothy is adapting to life outside the womb. He still bundles himself into a tight ball and even swaddled, he scrunches and squirms. He’s experiencing gravity in a new way now that he’s not suspended securely in amniotic fluid. He has to work at eating, the air he breathes is still new to his lungs, …
Inseparable Word: Trust and Obey
In the weeks leading up to his baby brother’s arrival, Thomas was particularly attached to his mother, not wanting her out of his sight and often needing to hold her, as he so affectionately put it. She knew the separation would be difficult for him when the time came to go to the hospital, so …
Forward Thinking
Before my third grandchild was born, my daughter began planning for life with two boys. She made appointments and reservations based on her new reality and no one really questioned her reasoning. Planning ahead is a good thing, but how far is too far, and is there such a thing as not far enough? You’ve …
Same Team
Thomas and Amelia are ten months and ten days apart in age. They’re often confused for siblings but they are cousins. Either set of parents could be theirs and one mom or the other is often asked when we’re together, “Are they both yours?” If either answered yes, no one would question it because they …
Separation Anxiety
Though she’s not two until summer, my granddaughter, Amelia, already knows how to tug on my heartstrings. When we meet up for a meal or family gathering and it’s nearing time to go, she reaches for me or climbs up in my lap, saying, “Ride in Lolly’s car,” or “Go to Lolly’s house.” Before the …
Conspicuously Absent
My mother had a beautiful young friend who babysat for us when I was a girl. She was one of those rare souls who loved purely and simply, who readily shared a smile and laughter even while she was hiding her own pain. Her life was cut short by cancer, but she blessed all who …
A Fitting Reply 